[A-PAL] APAL/BABIES Apr 22, 2002

[ALICE MEAD]

APAL--
APRIL 22, 2002


    UPDATE ON "ABANDONED BABIES"-Prishtina Hospital

It seems that both NGO's and UNMIK, as well as the
culture at large have all been involved in the
egregious delay of personal care for the 35 babies
still housed in Prishtina Hospital.

A detailed report on the situation was sent to Dr.
Bernard Kouchner in December 2000. On January 9, 2001,
Dr. Kouchner wrote to his top administrative staff
asking for immediate action for the then 35 babies. He
also stated that they immediately needed better space,
room repair, roof repair for leaks, and more staff
besides the four nurses. The staff position of the
person who wrote the report was terminated at the end
of December 2000.

It is now April, 2002. Hopefully in May, 2002, there
will be a major change for these kids. But right now,
there are still 35 babies, 95% are girls, being cared
for by four nurses, still lying in their cribs nearly
24 hours per day, fed by propped bottles which fall
out of their mouths and leak formula onto the
mattresses. Because they spend so much time lying on
their backs, their muscles are stiff, their posture
arched and rigid.

Until recently, neither social workers, UNMIK
officials, hospital administrators, or pediatricians
have advocated for these kids. Some NGO's who have
been involved for periods in the past with these
babies are--Child Advocacy International, UNICEF,
World Vision, and Save The Children. They all provided
supplies (sometimes as few as two diapers per 24 hour
period and sometimes ran out of soap or shampoo).
There are adoption laws in Kosova and an adoption
board. Some babies are in foster care, some have been
adopted. But there are now a total of 75 in need of
long=term placement. International adoption may be
possible as a last choice, at least until the overall
number drops. UNMIK TV has produced a video with
Marsha Lake, Social Services Division, to raise
awareness about the babies and it will air on April 22
on RTK TV. These are not "war" babies. They are nearly
all the children of unwed mothers who face shame and
rejection in their communities for bearing a child out
of wedlock.

In the meantime, two other NGO's, Hope and Homes, and
SOS Kinderdorf still need to raise funds to get these
kids out of Prishtina Hospital and keep them out. The
cost per child is estimated at 325 euro/month.

The emotional, social, and physical well being of
these babies is seriously at risk. UNMIK needs to
provide long-term funding for this social problem as
well as counseling and support for unmarried pregnant women.